PRESS RELEASE

1st July 2009

SP 02/08/09

STANDARDS AND PRIVILEGES COMMITTEE CONDEMNS LEAKING OF ADVICE

The Committee on Standards and Privileges has responded to the apparent leak of the Interim Commissioner for Standards’ advice to it on the issue of complaints made against Mrs Iris Robinson MLA.

The Chair of the Committee, Carmel Hanna MLA, said: “It is completely unacceptable that advice provided to the Committee should be leaked in this way. The Interim Commissioner plays a vital role in independently investigating complaints. However, ultimately it is the Committee who determines whether or not a Member is in breach of the Code of Conduct. Leaks such as this one are therefore most unhelpful and unfair for all of those concerned, particularly when presented in a way that might suggest that any decision has already been taken.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

• The Committee will publish its position on complaints made against a Member in a Report which will be made available on Friday morning (3/07/09). Such Committee reports include the advice provided by the Interim Commissioner.
• No member of the Committee will be commenting on the report in advance of its publication.

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Debra Savage
Communications Officer
Northern Ireland Assembly
Tel: 028 9052 1405
Mobile : 07920 864221